This morning the Lord highlighted to me these verses in Luke 8 (NLT):
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
This was Jesus explaining the parable of the farmer scattering seeds to the disciples. When I was reading this scripture I couldn’t help but think about my quiet time with the Lord. There are times where God’s word falls on me like it would on a footpath. I would read the word and put my bible away without really understanding what I read or allowing it to sink in my heart. I would just read it for the sake of reading it/routine. There are times where God’s word falls on me like it would on rocky soil. I would read the word, get excited and encouraged but when faced with temptation I would forget everything God spoke in the word because the words were not deeply rooted. There are times where God’s word falls on me like it would on thorn. I would read the word but as I’m reading my mind would be elsewhere, thinking about all the things I have to do for the day, all the worries, cares and even pleasures. All of those things would get in my way of receiving what God is trying to tell me in that moment. This not only chokes out God’s word for us but it prevents us from growing in maturity as the word says “And so they never grow into maturity.” But God is good and wants us to hear His word and have it fall on good soil. Jesus tells us what good soil looks like. Being honest and good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest.
God reminded me that when I come to Him in my quiet time and read my word that I need to be honest. I need to be honest with how I feel and ask God to search my heart, allowing Him to speak directly into my heart. I need to hear God’s word and meditate on it enough to grow deep roots in me. I need to cling to it so that in the midst of temptation and being crowded by the cares, riches and pleasures of life, that I will be able to patiently produce a huge harvest and grow in maturity.
I believe that Lifespring is on the journey of Maturity and God is teaching us how to cultivate good soil. As we are learning to grow the fruits of the Spirit we need to be honest and ask God “What fruits of the Spirit do I need to work on?”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Prayer:
Father I thank you for what you are doing in Lifespring. I pray that you would continue to help us grow in maturity and to help us cultivate good soil so that we may be able to bear much fruit. I pray that your word will penetrate our hearts and grow deep roots within us. I ask that the Holy Spirit would speak to us as we spend time in your word. Teach us how to posture our hearts to receive your word God. You are doing a good work in us and we need you. We pray this all in Jesus name, Amen.